But stereotypes, like a wiseguy's alibi, can be misleading. Now a series regular on David Chase's acclaimed HBO drama The Sopranos, the Brooklyn College graduate's acting odyssey began while working at a hotel on the Las Vegas strip.

Schirripa can also add published writer to his list of credits. A GOOMBA'S GUILD TO LIFE, published by Clarkson Potter, was a National Bestseller. His new book, THE GOOMBA's BOOK OF LOVE, is in stores now. And he has just closed the Deal to write a third.

As entertainment director of The Riviera Hotel, Steve worked with such comedians as Drew Carey, Kevin Pollack and Bruce Baum. His cameo roles in their comedy specials led to episodic work on the small screen, with Steve continually appearing in more productions. Over the past year, he has guest stared on The George Lopez Show, Law and Order, Ed, My Wife and Kids with Damon Wayans, The King of Queens with Kevin James, and a Columbo Movie of the Week. Steve has been a guest on numerous talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, Craig Kilborne, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends Good Day Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live and numerous other national and regional talk and radio shows.

A few years ago, while in New York for a wedding, Steve managed to get an audition for The Sopranos. Just as fast as you can say, You want crumbcake? he was cast as Bobby Bacala - Uncle Junior's right hand man. It would be easy to think of this as simply perfect casting, but truth be told, Steve put in many hours doing double duty at the hotel while making time for acting classes. It's fortunate for him that a large Italian man with comic timing was needed.

Steve's big screen credentials are as formidable as his portrayal of Bobby Bacala. He's played memorable characters in DETROIT ROCK CITY, FLINTSTONES-VIVA ROCK VEGAS, and has also landed roles in films directed by such notables as Martin Scorsese, CASINO, Terry Gilliam, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and Ron Shelton's PLAY IT TO THE BONE.

While finishing his fourth season on the award winning David Chase series The Sopranos, Steve has also kept up on his film work; he has just completed shooting the independent feature film STUEY. Schirripa can be heard on several episodes of the A&E series Crime Scenes, which will air early 2004. He can be seen Monday Night Mayhem with John Turturro and opposite David Spade in MEET JOE DIRT. Steven also starred opposite David Arquette in SEE SPOT RUN.

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